'Cast The Way' was recently made available exclusively on-line through the band’s websites and is Primitive Reason’s first release with the revamped line-up that now includes Pepe de Souza (drums) and Ricardo Barriga (guitar), both of whom recently joined De Llera and long time band-mates James Beja (bass) and Abel Beja (guitar). This self-produced ‘Limited Edition’ EP is a prelude to Primitive Reason’s 6th album which is due for international release in the fall of 2008, year in which the band will be celebrating 15 years of existence. Unlike their previous albums (which featured multi-instrumental additions such as horns, percussions, acoustic guitars, etc.), the band decided to take a more ‘back to basics’ approach for this recording. The result is a no-frills, eclectic, and extremely potent offering from the innovative Lisbon, Portugal, based rock quintet.
For over a decade, Primitive Reason have remained true to their roots and ideals. Their innovative sound and powerful live concerts have generated many fans on the international underground music scene. Since 1996, the band has released five studio albums and toured throughout Portugal, U.S.A, United Kingdom and Spain. The band has also performed at many summer music festivals and shared the stage with an extensive list of international bands including System of Down, Tool, Audioslave, Marilyn Manson, Incubus, Deftones, and Prodigy, to name a few. Backed by a faithful and ever-growing cult following throughout many parts of the world, Primitive Reason continues to cast the way...
Biography:
Based in Lisbon, Portugal, Primitive Reason was formed in 1993 by Guillermo De Llera (bass,vocals) and long-time schoolmates Jorge Felizardo (drums) and Brian Jackson (lead vocals), who were later joined by Mikas Ventura (guitar) and Mark Cain (sax). The members, being of different nationalities (including Spanish, Portuguese, American, and British backgrounds), set out to explore their diverse musical interests. After a couple of demos and several live shows, the band began to develop a unique fusion of metal/hardcore/ska/reggae/hip-hop/funk with hints of jazz and world music, complimented by dual vocals that mixed melodic singing with rap, spoken word, and aggressive screams.
Their innovative sound and impressive live performances caught the attention of both local fans and media alike. In 1995, Primitive Reason landed a national recording deal with Uniao Lisboa. The band quickly made its mark on the national music scene with the release of two critically acclaimed albums in Portugal ('Alternative Prison' (1996) and 'Tips and Shortcuts' (1998), both of which sold over 20,000 copies). After several successful national tours, including memorable performances at important summer festivals like Paredes de Coura, Superbock Superrock, and Vilar de Mouros, the band had generated a large national following and was looking to further its musical experience beyond borders.
Frustrated by their label’s lack of interest in releasing their albums internationally, Primitive Reason re-located to New York City where they signed with independent label Jah Notion in 1999. The move was not without its hardships though. By the time they started writing new material for their U.S. debut, De Llera and Felizardo had found themselves at a major crossroads after the rest of the band had decided not to continue. The duo moved on though, with De llera taking on the lead vocal role, completing the band’s third album, 'Some of Us', which was recorded in NY and featured some friends they had made on the scene including members of the Scofflaws, Toasters and New York Ska Jazz Ensemble.
At the turn of the century, the band recruited local natives James (bass) and Abel Beja (guitar) and quickly became a fixture on the NYC circuit, playing such renowned venues as CBGB’s, Mercury Lounge, Knitting Factory and Wetlands. To kick off their first U.S. release in the summer of 2000, Primitive Reason embarked on several U.S. national tours, included opening slots for major acts such as Fishbone, The Urge, The Misfits, Murphy's Law and The Pilfers, before returning to Portugal in 2001 to promote national release of the album. Another year of constant touring was to follow, including a national head-lining tour and appearances at major summer festivals alongside international acts such as Soulfly, Rammstein, Manu Chao, Suicidal Tendencies, UB40, Slipknot and Nickelback. The band then took a break from touring and decided to explore their individual and collective interests in other musical roots and cultures. Each member traveled to a different part of the globe: to Asia, South America, North America, and Europe. These experiences would deeply inspire their following works.
In 2003, a ‘reincarnated’ Primitive Reason finished recording what was to be the band’s first release on their own independent label Kaminari Records. 'The Firescroll', the band’s 4th album, generated rave reviews with the public and media alike. Their national tour included an appearance in front of 30,000 fans at the Rock in Lisbon stadium festival alongside Marilyn Manson, Audioslave, Deftones, and Disturbed. Video-clips for the singles Kindian and Had I the Courage were voted #1 ahead of top international acts on several TV programs, and Primitive Reason was nominated for Best Band at the 2003 MTV European Music Awards. By the end of summer, Primitive Reason had suffered another major line-up change with the sudden departure of Felizardo. The band was able to find a temporary replacement and finished the last leg of the national tour but was forced to cancel any plans of international touring.
Over the next few years, the band found themselves faced with a ‘revolving door’ of replacement drummers as they continued to tour nationally. This didn’t stop them from returning to studio to complete their next album. 'Pictures in the Wall' (Kaminari, 2005), Primitive Reason's 5th release and most adventurous work to date, was the reflection of the diversity that characterizes and always has been a trademark of this unique band. The album was conceived as a 74-minute ‘soundtrack’ to a short-story written by De Llera. As he explains it, “The book, and the music that accompanies it, describes a deep sleep, in which several distinct dreams tell their own story, filled with hopes and desires, living on memories and suffering through its own sorrows, like a wall filled with photographs that seemingly mark the passage of time”. Originally written in English, the book also includes both Spanish and Portuguese translations.
Following the release of´'Pictures in the Wall', Primitive Reason toured consistently. Highlights included their first concerts in the UK and Spain, as well as festival appearances alongside Tool, System of a Down, Placebo, Prodigy, Deftones, and Incubus. Both Kaminari releases were then made available worldwide through CD Baby, Super D Distribution and all major digital music services including I-tunes and Napster. In 2007, with the additions of Pepe de Souza (drums) and Ricardo Barriga (guitar), Primitive Reason solidified their line-up and returned to the studio. Their first recordings were recently released as a ‘limited edition’ EP, anticipating the band’s 6th full-length which is scheduled for international release in mid 2008.
Since the beginning of their 15-year existence, they’ve remained faithful to their roots and ideals while consistently re-affirming their position as one of the leaders on the international underground music scene. Backed by a faithful and ever-growing cult following throughout many parts of the world, Primitive Reason continues to cast the way…
Primitive Reason is:
Guillermo de Llera – vocals, percussion, didgeridoo
Abel Beja – guitar, vocals
Pepe De Souza - drums
Luís Pereira - bass
Rui Travasso - saxophone
Hipócrita
Primitive Reason Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I try so hard to be the least I can.
Easy to admit,
Hard to change the way I am.
So far from my ideas of a perfect man.
So far what I have seen has not pleased me well.
So far what I have seen has not made me well.
So far what I have said, it was not said well.
I've been so sorry.
And I am so sorry.
And I'll be so sorry.
King hypocrite in my own life.
My biggest consolation is that you are far worse.
You do not even admit, you do not accept the curse
That it is to be a liar and a two-faced jerk
You do not speak for yourself
You do not speak your own words.
Como podes te entregar?
Sabendo que nem foste tu
o encapacitado de pensar, de criar
Uma nova doutrina para o resto idealizar.
Um conjunto de ideias curtas
para os do genero memorizar.
Outro dogma, outra ideologia
que e fraca para criar,
procriar outro conjunto de iguais
para fazer como tu o fazes,
como te ensinaram a pensar e aceitar
sem tentar compreender,
sem ver que nao e bem assim.
Que tu nao podes viver bem assim.
Hipócrita.
The lyrics of Primitive Reason's song Hipócrita appear to be a reflection on one's own life and actions. The singer seems to be examining their behavior and personality, stating that they try hard to be a better person but often fall short of their ideals. The lyrics suggest that the singer has experienced disappointment and perhaps even shame in their own behavior. Despite this recognition and remorse, the singer also appears to point out the hypocrisy of others who are not honest with themselves or accept their flaws. In particular, the line "my biggest consolation is that you are far worse" implies that the singer has encountered individuals who are even more hypocritical and two-faced than themselves.
The chorus of the song repeats the word "Hipócrita," which translates to "Hypocrite" in English. This repetition emphasizes the theme of hypocrisy and suggests that it is a pervasive and problematic behavior in society. The final lines of the song seem to urge the listener to question their own beliefs and actions, asking "how can you give yourself knowing that you weren't even the one incapable of thinking, of creating a new doctrine for the rest to idealize?" The song presents a call to self-reflection and honesty, both with oneself and with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Often reflect on what I know I am,
I constantly contemplate my true self and identity.
I try so hard to be the least I can.
I attempt to minimize my negative impact on the world.
Easy to admit,
It's simple to acknowledge.
Hard to change the way I am.
Difficult to modify my behavior and tendencies.
So far from my ideas of a perfect man.
I'm distant from my concept of an ideal person.
So far what I have seen has not pleased me well.
Thus far, what I've witnessed hasn't satisfied me entirely.
So far what I have seen has not made me well.
My experiences haven't contributed to my personal well-being.
So far what I have said, it was not said well.
My past statements could have been phrased more eloquently.
So well have I survived, well...
I've done a remarkable job of surviving thus far.
I've been so sorry.
I'm full of contrition.
And I am so sorry.
I am still remorseful.
And I'll be so sorry.
I will continue to feel regret.
King hypocrite in my own life.
I am a hypocrite within my own existence and actions.
My biggest consolation is that you are far worse.
I console myself with the belief that you are even more flawed than I am.
You do not even admit, you do not accept the curse
You refuse to acknowledge and embrace your own imperfections.
That it is to be a liar and a two-faced jerk
A dishonest and hypocritical individual.
You do not speak for yourself
You fail to express your own thoughts and feelings.
You do not speak your own words.
You regurgitate the ideas and beliefs of others without critical thought.
Como podes te entregar?
How can you surrender yourself?
Sabendo que nem foste tu
Especially when you weren't even yourself.
o encapacitado de pensar, de criar
Incapable of thinking and creating on your own.
Uma nova doutrina para o resto idealizar.
A new doctrine to idealize the rest.
Um conjunto de ideias curtas
A set of simplistic ideas.
para os do genero memorizar.
For those of the same gender to memorize.
Outro dogma, outra ideologia
Another dogma, another ideology.
que e fraca para criar,
Which is incapable of creating.
procriar outro conjunto de iguais
Reproducing another set of identical individuals.
para fazer como tu o fazes,
To do as you do.
como te ensinaram a pensar e aceitar
As you were taught to think and accept.
sem tentar compreender,
Without attempting to understand.
sem ver que nao e bem assim.
Without realizing that it's not quite like that.
Que tu nao podes viver bem assim.
That you can't truly live this way.
Hipócrita.
Hypocrite.
Contributed by Harper P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ricardoreis2081
Que saudades pahhhhh.
@NunoReis
Das melhores bandas Portuguesas! Tenho 10 albuns e vi mais de 15 concertos ao vivo. Out of Space! _ \|/ _ Parabéns desde Almada Hardcore _ \|/ _
@vjmacc
Grandes tempos!
@fredericoferreirapinto2037
noites de sábado à noite pelo bairro e idas ao "rookie", infelizmente os mais jovens já só conhecem "the International house of Caldo Verde"
@victoroliveira7526
Muita pontapé dei eu naquela cave do rookie. Saudades
@Mikasa186_
Isto parece chapa dux
@diogopassanha
1 hipo não gostou...